With summer in full swing, it's the perfect time to plan your first bicycle trip and embrace the adventure and freedom of outdoor cycling. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, preparing for a bikepacking journey or a cycling tour adventure requires careful planning and the right equipment.
Bikepacking, characterized by off-road routes and minimal setups, focuses on the exploratory nature of travel. On the other hand, cycling touring emphasizes a slower pace, longer journeys, and gear designed for extended stays away from home without sacrificing comfort. In this guide, you'll find practical tips for both styles of cycling trips, including how to plan your route, choose the best bike for your needs, and optimize its setup. With these tips and proper physical preparation, you'll be ready to embark on an unforgettable journey, discovering new places you didn't know existed, and enjoying the unique thrill of traveling on two wheels. Are you ready? Let's begin!
A complete guide must first address some fundamental questions. When it comes to planning your first cycling trips, the first thing to ask is: Should I choose a mountain bike or a gravel bike? Should I start with cycle touring or try bikepacking?
How to choose the perfect bike for your first bicycle trip
For beginners, it's advisable to start with routes exclusively on paved roads. If you have some experience with off-road cycling, you may consider exploring scenic cycling paths away from traffic, suitable for both mountain bikes and gravel bikes. It's best to avoid overly complex routes for two reasons:
- the additional weight of travel bags;
- the physical effort required to handle this weight.
So, how do you choose the perfect bike for your first trip? If you opt for asphalt routes, the best options are endurance mountain bikes or entry level gravel bikes, designed for good aerodynamics and lightness to minimize fatigue during the journey. If you prefer off-road cycling and have more experience, you might consider using a gravel bike specifically designed for off-road riding equipped with slightly wider tires for better traction and a more comfortable ride.
If you're comfortable with a mixed itinerary (asphalt / gravel paths), you can choose between a gravel bike with knobby tires or a hardtail mountain bike. Both are suitable for various surfaces and ensure excellent maneuverability.
Cycle touring or Bikepacking?
When deciding to embark on multi-day bike trips, the choice of destination and equipment, as well as physical preparation, become essential to fully enjoy the experience. Bikepacking means immersing yourself in every pedal stroke, discovering new and unexplored places. Practicing cycle touring, on the other hand, requires a more relaxed approach and can be the gateway to bikepacking. Just a few simple tips are enough. So, here are the things to consider (and do) before starting your bike travels:
-
analyze the distance, period, and duration of the trip, as well as the technical difficulties. If you're a beginner, it's better to limit yourself to trips of three to four days at most, with destinations not too far away and preferably on familiar routes. This way, if you encounter a problem you can't solve on your own, you can reach the nearest train station and return home safely. These initial experiences are valuable for building physical and mental endurance, helping you get used to the bike and learn a new riding style;
- once you have chosen your destination, it is necessary to plan the route. There are various apps, including free ones, that allow you to map out a safe itinerary based on your fitness level and the type of bike you want to use. For beginners, it's advisable to limit yourself to 60-70 km per day if you are fit and 25-35 km if you are not entirely ready physically but still want to give it a try. Additionally, in both cases, it's better to choose secondary roads with smooth surfaces and little elevation gain. Route planning apps offer the possibility to select pre-tested routes or segments with compact surfaces like gravel bike paths. It is also important to consider the weight of your equipment, as it will affect your average speed;
- for short bike trips, three bags are sufficient: a saddle bag (for clothing), a handlebar bag (repair kit, smartphone charger, power bank, and wallet), and a top tube bag (sports supplements, windbreaker, spare socks, and a long-sleeve jersey in case of sudden weather changes);
-
choose technical clothing suitable for the climatic conditions of the period in which you are traveling, preferring quick-drying and highly breathable garments for maximum comfort.
Things you must not forget when traveling by bike:
- USB rechargeable LED rear lights (there are several models available, all valid and at affordable prices);
- front lights with a minimum of 1000 lumens;
- GPS bike computer to load the tracks previously created on the App.
Are you ready? Let's ride!
